Second life for ‘nuisance’ beavers
“People are really starting to see the value.”Utah is among a growing number of states, tribes and conservation groups leading the country on beaver relocation. “Now everybody else is getting on board and becoming beaver believers.”Coexisting with beavers is widely seen as the best option. Still, when landowners are adamant that beavers must go, relocation can offer a second chance. In the south of the state, beavers cool their heels in two donated hot tubs, filled with cold water. Nick Bouwes, an aquatic ecologist and co-founder of Utah State’s beaver collaborative, came to relocation through frustration.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 16:03 UTC
Malaysia faces shortage of oncologists — Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 4): Malaysia is currently facing a shortage of oncologists with only 184 doctors in the field serving nationwide, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. “So far, we have 184 oncologists nationwide based on 2025 data, which is an increase of 60% compared to 2019. Of that number, 65 serve under the Ministry of Health, 107 in the private sector while the rest are still in training. Dzulkefly said cancer remained the third highest cause of death in Malaysia with new cases remaining at a stable rate of around 40,000 per year. Quoting data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Dzulkefly said the agency’s data showed that cancer contributed 14.3% of all deaths in 2024, up from 13.8% in 2023.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 04, 2026 16:02 UTC
Cops probe robbery bid at TTDI petrol station
KUALA LUMPUR: The police are investigating an attempted robbery involving a 25-year-old woman at a petrol station in Taman Tun Dr Ismail. “The victim and her friend managed to prevent the suspect from opening the door, resulting in a brief struggle. The suspect later fled the scene on the motorcycle without managing to take any valuables or cash, he said. The case is being investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery. ACP Hoo said investigations were ongoing as the motorcycle used by the suspect was believed to be bearing a fake registration number.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 16:00 UTC
Three children drown in Sibu sewage pond
SIBU: Three children were reported drowned in a sewage pond near the Sibu Jaya Flats on Wednesday (February 4). The victims have been identified as Macx Devdynne Sharie Merdek,12, Macx Welwait Merdeka,9 and Daniella Arissa Tayas Ak Maringgai 10. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Operations Centre said it received an emergency call at 4.03pm, prompting the dispatch of personnel from the Sibu Jaya Fire and Rescue Station to the location. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that members of the public had already brought the three victims — two girls and a boy — to the edge of the pond. Paramedics pronounced the victims dead at the scene.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 15:50 UTC
Review and upgrade of FTAs a critical strategy to strengthen Malaysia's economic agenda
KUALA LUMPUR: The review and upgrade of negotiations of free trade agreements (FTAs) are a critical strategy to ensure that Malaysia's trade framework remains relevant in driving the nation's economic and socio-economic agenda. The ministry said Malaysia has implemented a total of 17 FTAs to date. Of these, four FTAs have had their upgrade negotiations concluded and have been signed, namely the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) in October 2025, the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement in October 2025 (second review), the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement in August 2023, and the Malaysia-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement signed in September 2022. Three FTAs are currently under review and undergoing upgrade negotiations, namely the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), and the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA). At the same time, five FTAs are at the planning or preliminary study stage for review, namely the Malaysia–Pakistan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Source:New Strait Times
February 04, 2026 15:48 UTC
Trump, Xi discuss Taiwan and soybeans in call aimed at easing China, US relations
WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Feb 5): China is considering buying more US-farmed soybeans, President Donald Trump said after what he called "very positive" talks with President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, even as Beijing warned Washington about arms sales to Taiwan. "The United States must carefully handle arms sales to Taiwan," China said in an official meeting summary. Trump and Xi last met in person in October in South Korea, where their current trade truce was struck. Soybeans are key because struggling US farmers are a major domestic political constituency for Trump, and China is the top consumer. Benchmark Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures surged more than 3% to a two-month high.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 04, 2026 15:41 UTC
She collects maggots from dead people
“Within minutes, insects can detect the smell a dead body produces that humans cannot detect. Basically, there are three insect families that are abundant in a decomposed body: family Calliphoridae, family Sarcophagidae and family Muscidae. Both the forensic pathologist and forensic entomologist collaborate to establish a more accurate post-mortem interval, in case the court requires evidence. “Yes, my work is to collect maggots for research in the field and the lab. “The insects that we find only feed on necrotic tissues – they won’t do anything in a live human,” she says.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 15:39 UTC
US services sector treads water in January as new orders slow
WASHINGTON (Feb 4): The US services sector held steady in January, but businesses paid more for inputs, suggesting that services inflation could pick up after being on a slowing trend in recent months. The services sector accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity. The ISM survey's measure of prices paid by businesses for inputs increased to 66.6 amid signs of supply strains, from 65.1 in December. The ISM's measure of supplier deliveries increased to 54.2, the highest level since October 2024, from 51.8 in December. The ISM's measure of services employment slipped to 50.3 from 51.7 in December.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 04, 2026 15:16 UTC
Man loses RM307,000 in Tangkak land purchase scam
TANGKAK: A 55-year-old man lost RM307,000 after being deceived in a fraudulent land purchase. Tangkak OCPD Supt Roslan Mohd Talib said the victim lodged a report on Tuesday (Feb 3) after a suspect failed to carry out the land ownership transfer according to land office procedures. Supt Roslan advised the public to remain vigilant and follow proper channels when purchasing property. “The public is also urged to conduct thorough checks as a precaution to avoid becoming victims of scams. He added that scam victims should immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to prevent further outflow of money from suspect accounts.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 15:14 UTC
Dr Akmal still Melaka exco member, says Melaka CM
MELAKA: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh remains the state executive council member for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security, said the Melaka Chief Minister. "I have yet to consult (Ali Rustam)… which means that for now he remains an Exco member. "However, as of Wednesday (Feb 4), he is still carrying out his duties as an Exco member,” he said. He was speaking to reporters at the Melaka State Executive Council Day with the People Programme (Hebat) Series 1/2026 at the Seri Negeri Complex here on Wednesday. Dr Muhamad Akmal had earlier announced his resignation as a Melaka state Exco member after Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rejected his call for the party to withdraw from the Unity Government.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 15:14 UTC
Bunny mistakes toddler’s finger for food
The incident took place in Zhoukou City when the 19-month-old toddler was playing in the yard while his grandparents were cooking in the kitchen. Spotting the family’s pet rabbit, the boy picked up an aubergine on the ground and tried to feed the herbivore. After being unable to find it inside the rabbit, family members eventually stumbled upon the finger in a corner of the rabbit’s cage. They rushed the toddler to the hospital, and doctors managed to reattach the severed finger. According to local press, the man whose surname is Liu later took the company to court and sought 200,000 yuan (RM113,410) in compensation for unlawful termination.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 15:10 UTC
PM to address Malaysia-Indonesia border alignment issue in Parliament today
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to give a detailed account of the Malaysia-Indonesia border alignment issue in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 4) morning. The move comes amid mounting public uncertainty and reports surrounding the matter. "I will explain the Malaysia-Indonesia border alignment issue in detail at the special briefing session in Parliament this morning. The session follows claims alleging Malaysia had handed over more than 5,000 hectares of land to Indonesia, allegations the Prime Minister has firmly denied. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has said discussions on the land boundary are still ongoing and that no final agreement or territorial transfer has been concluded.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 15:06 UTC
Eatery being probed for ‘recycling’ unsold food
SEREMBAN: A restaurant here is under investigation by state health authorities for “recycling” unsold food, allegedly by washing and recooking it before reselling it to customers. State Health Department director Dr Zuraida Mohamed said that her officers are investigating the matter following the viral circulation of a video showing a worker allegedly “washing” unsold food items, including mutton, chicken and bean curd. A netizen had earlier posted a video recording of the incident, which allegedly took place behind the restaurant after midnight yesterday. After “washing” the cooked food, the worker was seen placing it onto trays. Although the worker insisted that the practice did not compromise food safety, the individual questioned its appropriateness.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 14:45 UTC
From prison to PhD: Malik's redemption
One exception was Dr Malik Yatam, the country's first inmate to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) while serving a prison sentence. Tears flowed as he hugged the Sultan, who had promised to sponsor Malik's umrah trip with his wife, a civil servant. He eventually completed his PhD dissertation in business administration from Open University Malaysia (OUM), writing a dissertation on the entrepreneurial skills of convicts. Now an advocate of education, Malik said he gives motivational talks to youth in the hope they will be as determined as him. But this is the gem - he met a VVIP prisoner who approached him for advice on whether he should pursue his PhD on learning of his successful story, which had gone around the prison.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 14:45 UTC
New Armed Forces chief promises 'total clean-up' of military
KUALA LUMPUR: A total clean-up of the military in the main agenda for newly appointed Armed Forces chief Jeneral Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman. The 24th Armed Forces chief acknowledged public concern over recent controversies, saying that the rakyat are among the biggest stakeholders in national security. When asked if he had second thoughts on accepting the post after recent controversies, Jen Malek Razak said this was not of choice. "Once the Armed Forces council convened and Sultan Ibrahim consented to the appointment, it became a command and a trust. Drawing on his nearly 40 years of experience, he said the Armed Forces would regain public confidence and emerge stronger.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 14:44 UTC